Bridgetown Veterinary Emergency and Referral is a premier specialty hospital located in Portland, Oregon, providing advanced care in Critical Care, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Urgent Care, and Advanced Imaging. Founded by friends and colleagues Dr. Lisa Mahlum, a board-certified Criticalist, and Dr. Megan Steele, a board-certified Neurologist, Bridgetown was built on a shared vision of delivering exceptional veterinary care in a collaborative, compassionate environment. While this article highlights just two of its core departments—Ophthalmology and Surgery—it’s important to note that Bridgetown offers a wide range of specialized services designed to support pets and their families through every stage of care.

With a strong emphasis on veterinary ophthalmology, specialty surgery, and emergency care, Bridgetown Veterinary Emergency + Referral has established itself as a leader in modern veterinary medicine, offering specialized care through advanced treatments and a collaborative approach. The hospital continues to set high standards in patient treatment and medical innovation. The team at Bridgetown is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate service, ensuring that pets receive the best possible medical attention, even in the most challenging cases.

Veterinary ophthalmology is a crucial aspect of the hospital’s services, focusing on conditions that can cause pain, blindness, and a diminished quality of life. Many pet owners are unaware that specialized eye treatments exist for animals, but Bridgetown’s ophthalmologist brings cutting-edge techniques to their patients. Leading its Ophthalmology department is Dr. Lindsay Lamkin, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist with a passion for restoring and preserving vision in companion animals. With extensive training and experience in medical and surgical ophthalmology, Dr. Lamkin brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to care—ensuring each pet receives not only expert treatment but also compassion and comfort throughout their journey. Advanced procedures such as cataract surgery, corneal repair, and intraocular surgeries are routinely performed, reflecting the progress made in veterinary medicine. To support these efforts, the hospital uses highly specialized medical equipment also used in human ophthalmology, including an operating microscope for precision surgery, a cataract surgery unit, and ultra-high frequency ultrasound for detailed imaging of the ocular structures. For some conditions, surgery is not always necessary, and alternative options like hyaluronic acid fillers help correct eyelid abnormalities in breeds prone to eye issues. Dr. Renee Lamkin, Ophthalmologist at Bridgetown, explains, “Veterinary ophthalmology has come a long way, but many people don’t realize just how advanced our treatments have become. We can now perform procedures that were once only available in human medicine, and it’s incredible to see the difference they make in our patients’ lives.”

Proactive Veterinary Care Redefined

Preventative care and early intervention are key priorities at Bridgetown. Many cases could be managed more effectively if pet owners sought specialist care sooner. The ophthalmology team works closely with general veterinarians to educate them on early detection, referrals, and treatment options that can help prevent severe complications. This focus on proactive care is part of Bridgetown’s broader mission to improve veterinary medicine through education, collaboration, and innovation.

Veterinary surgery is another critical area in which Bridgetown excels, led by Dr. Megan Korpita, the Surgical Department Head and a highly skilled board-certified surgeon. Under her leadership, the department offers a variety of minimally invasive surgeries that are not commonly available at other hospitals. Procedures such as subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) surgery, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, and arthroscopy allow for more effective treatments with shorter recovery times and reduced postoperative discomfort for patients. The surgery department at Bridgetown emphasizes the importance of multimodal analgesia, incorporating nerve blocks, constant rate infusions, and a combination of pain medications to ensure the highest level of comfort for animals undergoing surgery. “One of our biggest goals is to minimize pain and recovery time for our patients,” says Dr. Lisa Mahlum, Criticalist, Co-owner & Medical Director, Bridgetown. “By offering minimally invasive procedures, we can significantly improve outcomes while reducing stress on both the pet and the owner.”

Bridgetown is also working toward increasing accessibility to specialized surgical care. The team currently consists of three surgeons, with plans to expand surgical coverage to seven days a week by August. This expansion will provide pet owners with greater access to specialized procedures, ensuring that urgent surgical cases can be addressed more efficiently. Despite the advancements in veterinary medicine, the industry faces several significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is financial accessibility. Veterinary care has become increasingly sophisticated, but the cost of treatments remains a major barrier for many pet owners. While pet insurance has improved over the years, most policies require owners to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement, which is not always feasible. Additionally, many pet owners only consider insurance after their pet has suffered a medical emergency, at which point any existing condition is classified as pre-existing and excluded from coverage. “Finances are one of the biggest hurdles we see in veterinary medicine,” says Dr. Megan Steele, Neurologist, Co-owner & Medical Director, Bridgetown. “We often have to give pet owners treatment estimates in the thousands of dollars, and for many, that’s just not feasible. We do everything we can to provide options, from financial aid programs to educating clients about pet insurance early on.”

To address this challenge, the team at Bridgetown prioritizes educating pet owners about the benefits of early insurance enrollment. They also work with clients to explore financial aid options, including third-party payment plans through services like CareCredit and Scratch Pay. These financing solutions, while helpful, come with limitations such as high interest rates and credit score requirements. Bridgetown’s commitment to accessible care goes beyond external financing options. The clinic actively raises funds to assist families in need, ensuring that financial constraints do not force pet owners into making heartbreaking decisions about their animal’s health.

Another challenge facing the veterinary industry is the shortage of skilled professionals. The demand for veterinary services has grown significantly in recent years, yet the number of trained veterinarians and veterinary nurses entering the field has not kept pace. This imbalance has resulted in staff shortages, longer wait times for appointments, and increased workloads for veterinary professionals. The emotional and physical toll of the profession contributes to burnout, further exacerbating the staffing crisis. “The reality is, there just aren’t enough veterinarians and nurses to meet the growing demand,” explains Dr. Lisa Mahlum. “We are lucky to have a strong, dedicated team, but across the industry, burnout is a serious issue. We make it a priority to support our staff with ongoing education, manageable workloads, and a positive work environment.”

Bridgetown Veterinary Emergency + Referral has taken proactive steps to address these challenges by fostering a supportive and sustainable work environment. The hospital prioritizes professional development, offering continuing education opportunities for nurses and emergency room doctors. Frequent department head meetings allow for open discussions on hospital operations, areas for improvement, and ways to enhance patient care. By investing in the growth and well-being of its staff, Bridgetown ensures that its team remains highly skilled, motivated, and capable of delivering top-quality veterinary services.

Delivering Advanced Emergency Pet Care

Emergency and critical care services are a vital component of Bridgetown’s operations. The emergency and surgery departments work closely together, often involving multiple doctors in the management of critical patients. The clinic provides gold-standard, tertiary hospital care, offering advanced treatments such as chest tubes, central lines, blood transfusions, and high-flow oxygen therapy. These services are available 24/7, ensuring that pets receive continuous medical attention from a dedicated team of doctors and nurses every day of the year. “Continuity of care is one of our strengths,” says Dr. Megan Korpita, Surgeon, Bridgetown. “We are a small, close-knit team that communicates well, and many of our doctors stay involved with their cases even on their days off. That level of dedication ensures our patients get the best care possible.”

Bridgetown is deeply committed to serving the community, ensuring that pet owners facing financial hardship have access to life-saving treatments. Many families receive surgical estimates in the thousands of dollars, which would typically leave them with limited options. At other hospitals, clients are often told they can either proceed with the surgery, transfer to another facility, or euthanize their pet. Bridgetown takes a different approach, working within the client’s budget to find feasible treatment options. The hospital actively raises money for their Veterinary Care Fund that provides financial assistance to ensure that pets receive the care they need.

Looking ahead, Bridgetown is preparing for expansion to meet the growing demand for its services. Plans are underway to remodel the facility, incorporate more operating rooms, and add additional specialists to expand coverage across all departments. The goal is to have a specialist available seven days a week in each area, further improving accessibility for pet owners. “We are growing fast, but we’re committed to maintaining the level of care and compassion that makes Bridgetown special,” says Dr. Megan Steele. “No matter how much we expand, our priority will always be our patients and the families who trust us with their care.”

Bridgetown Veterinary Emergency + Referral successfully combines the efficiency of a large hospital with the warmth of a close-knit practice. Unlike many specialty hospitals, Bridgetown’s specialists are not paid on production-based salaries, ensuring that treatment recommendations are made purely in the best interest of the pet. “We don’t believe in pushing unnecessary treatments just for financial gain,” says Dr. Megan Steele. “Every decision we make is about what’s best for the animal. That’s what sets us apart.” As Bridgetown continues to evolve, its mission remains clear: to provide innovative, compassionate, and accessible veterinary care that sets the standard for the industry.